• Originally Built:  1921 (Carnegie building)

• Renovated:  1991—public/private funds expanded branch to twice its size

• Opened:  June 1996

NOTE:  This Branch will NOT be renovated under the BLIP program

Neighborhood Library Campaign

Anza	Golden Gate	North Beach	Presidio
Bayview	Ingleside	Ocean View	Richmond
Bernal Heights	Marina	Ortega	Sunset
Chinatown	Merced	Park	Visitacion Valley
Eureka Valley	Mission	Parkside	West Portal
Excelsior	Mission Bay	Portola	Western Addition
Glen Park	Noe Valley	Potrero Hill

Chinatown

The Chinatown Branch Library, built in 1921 with Carnegie funds, was the third branch to be established in the San Francisco Public Library system. Originally called the North Beach Branch, it is located on Powell Street between Washington and Jackson Streets and the name was changed in 1958 to more accurately reflect the community it serves.

In 1991, public and private funds were obtained for a major renovation and expansion of the branch, including seismic retrofitting and a large expansion. Friends raised over a half-million dollars for the renovation, and the Grand Re-Opening took place on June 15, 1996. Thus, this branch is not included in the current renovation process.

For more information about the nearby North Beach Branch, please click here.